2011 Jingxuanhong . This is a Taiwanese awarded competition hong cha. It shows I have only had maybe a two or three red teas with this much going on ( although I drink very little of this sort of thing). There is a nice sweetness, excellent durability and noticeable changes in the flavor profile from infusion to infusion. I wish there was more available.

Darjeeling Gopaldhara WT-52 autumnal (Does anyone know why Darjeelings are labeled like this, with numbers and such?) from Camellia Sinensis. It's a light, refreshing tea with a great aroma while brewing.

Enjoying the first of some darjeeling from Tea Trekker, which I was prompted to order this week due to a nice sale they mentioned in their newsletter.

This is the 2011 first flush from the Jungpana estate, and is processed to be much more green than usual, which I definitely noticed in the color of the leaves. However, the flavor is still very bright with rich muscatel (or maybe that's the age?) and no bitterness. I was impressed by the size of the leaf bits, mostly about 1/2 leaf intact. Sorry, I didn't have time to take any pictures but can if requested.

I shamelessly ignored their suggestion of 2tsp/6oz and settled instead on 3tsp/16oz, much more in my comfort zone for black teas.

Interesting, their website makes the same claim. Although, Tea Trekker doesn't appear to have either 2012 flush, so perhaps Sloane Tea only became exclusive in 2012? Seems a bit silly though... I guess we'll find out when the 2013 teas come in.

Interesting, their website makes the same claim. Although, Tea Trekker doesn't appear to have either 2012 flush, so perhaps Sloane Tea only became exclusive in 2012? Seems a bit silly though... I guess we'll find out when the 2013 teas come in.

You are being very generous to Sloane.

No mention was made to me of being the sole distributor of FF 2012 Jungpana

Interesting, their website makes the same claim. Although, Tea Trekker doesn't appear to have either 2012 flush, so perhaps Sloane Tea only became exclusive in 2012? Seems a bit silly though... I guess we'll find out when the 2013 teas come in.

You are being very generous to Sloane.

No mention was made to me of being the sole distributor of FF 2012 Jungpana